Winston Chronicles: Qob/Tranquility Universe: The Target

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2018

 

The Target

 

 

“What do you think?” asked Daniel Winston as heinspected Guardian Speeder #72’s engine while his son Mark held up the hood.

 

“Beats me Dad, I don’t see any fluids leaking or anything. C’mon you know I have little interest in figuring these engines out.” The younger Winston replied with not so much enthusiasm paying more attention to a hunting scope he used for his own hobby, pest control.

 

“You’re right! Good job son!” Daniel proceeded to make a mess of Mark’s hair with his free hand.

 

“Oh, you finally agree I have no interest in fixing Guardian vehicles.” Mark looked briefly through his hunting scope at the two Guardians watching the front of the garage for trouble. “No offense, lawmen. just keeping you honest!”

 

“No, the fact that are no liquids present in the cooling system that surrounds the engine suggests this Speeder #72 croaked of heat exhaustion. The engine’s safety kicked in, disabling the vehicle before it blew up.” Daniel glanced over at his son. “See? I told you you had it in you.”

 

“Bah!” Mark replied as he secured the hood. “I’d rather be shooting voles, the common pest we seem to find everywhere in this galaxy. You know I got one the other day near the Vear’s property nearly a meter long? I don’t know what they are drinking around here to get that big.”

 

“Must be engine coolant.” Daniel straightened up and turned to his son. “Mark, as much as I appreciate your thought of volunteering around the neighborhood to zap pests,it is far too dangerous for you to be going out alone like that. You know the Nausicaans’ bikers want us dead.”

 

“The Nausicaans wanting us dead was your doing, Dad. Remember that.” Mark countered. “You decided to get in over your head with these Guardians. Now we have to have bodyguards.” Mark pointed at the two Guardians who seemed quite bored for a protective detail.

 

“Son, we’ve discussed this. I don’t want you hunting voles. Even if it’s a neighborly thing to do.”

 

“You are such a jyking hypocrite Dad-”

 

Daniel Winston stepped away from #72 with his hands in the air. “Fine...Fine..point taken. When we landed here I was the one who pointed out to our arresting officers that their speeder was skipping plasma cycles. So you win. Yes I did get us into this mess. But we are not in prison!”

 

Dad, we are nothing butindentured servants to these Guardians. FYI Dad, the Federation outlawed that centuries ago. They keep us alive for the sole purpose of fixing and modifying their speeders to catch those Nausicaans. We get a small stipend. Nowhere near enough to buy your own garage. Just enough to live.

 

“It’s not the same Federation anymore Mark. Geez..how did you get so darn smart at 17?”

 

“I read a lot of PADDs on our way from Vesta to this dungpile called Tranquility.” Mark shot back and walked over to his rifle on the charging rack, detaching the smaller of the two hunting rifles. “ I need to get some air.”

 

“Mark, you are not going hunting now; it’s almost sunset. Put the rifle back. Now.”

 

“Something’s been chewing on the Smith’s EPS trunk line. Don’t worry... I’ll take the sewers.”

Not giving the Guardians protecting them a chance to stop him, Mark bolted out of the garage.

 

“Let him go, he can take care of himself. He is street smart - I hope,” Daniel told the two lawmen standing by the garage exit.

 

“It’s not him we have been instructed to watch over, sir.” The senior Guardian answered. “It’s you they want dead. Don’t worry sir, when the sheriff pays you a visit next week I’m certain he will relocate the both of you again.”

 

Daniel Winston looked at the Guardian then turned away chucking his work gloves on the floor. He loved his son, but he hated the fact his son was right... he was a servant of the Guardians.